A Face in the Crowd

by Christina Kirby

  She’d done her best to avoid Oliver’s gaze until now, but her eyes seemed to cut to his of their own volition. “You wrote a song?”

  “Yeah, this morning.” He shrugged. “Inspiration struck.”

  The way his eyes bored into hers made her heart flutter. She laughed as she tried to pry her eyes from his. “Don’t tell me it’s a love song.”

  “I don’t write love songs.”

  “Yeah,” Bailey cut in, “he’d have to know what love is first.”

  Lexie squirmed as Bailey’s words hit a little too close to home. She always wondered after her breakup with Mike if she didn’t fully know what love was supposed to feel like. She’d thought at one time she’d found it, but later realized she was mistaking love for contentment. “But, you guys had one a few years ago, Behind Closed Doors. It was a little lovey-dovey.”

  Oliver arched an eyebrow. “That was not about love. That song was about lust, and I didn’t write it. I just sang the hell out of it.”

  “That you did,” Lexie slipped the thermometer under Bailey’s tongue and watched as the numbers crept up. “I ran into Dr. Milo in the hall. He’s expecting to get your latest test results back soon.”

  “How much longer will Bailey have to be in this room?” Cathy continued to crochet from her chair.

  “Hopefully, not much longer,” Lexie stepped back from Bailey. Even though his looks had been affected by his time at the hospital and the poison they were pumping into him every day, he was still a handsome man. The angles of his face and full lips were hard to ignore and they ran in the family.

  She crossed the room to update Bailey’s file on the in-room computer. “So, tell me about the new song you’re working on.”

  “Actually,” he grinned, “there are three.”

  “You guys have been busy.”

  “There isn’t much else to do around here.” Bailey played a few notes, his fingers nimble on the strings.

  “I’ve had some time on my hands.” Oliver pulled the pen he’d tucked behind his ear and made a notation on the notepad in his hand.

  “The only problem is, I get tired and have to stop in the middle to rest. These drugs are kicking my ass.”

  “That’s a common complaint around here.”

  “I bet. Leo’s coming back into town tomorrow so I’m hoping we can collaborate a bit. I want to run the new stuff by him.”

  Oliver sat up a little straighter and looked at her. “Do you want to hear what we have so far? With your input, it might help us work out a few of the kinks before he gets here tomorrow.”

  Lexie’s eyes widened in surprise. On what planet would she normally get to hear Survival music in the making? “Sure, I have some time.”

  Bailey adjusted the guitar across his body at the same time his long fingers wrapped around the guitar’s neck and found their marks. Oliver sat up and kept tempo by tapping one of his Vans on the floor.

  As the notes found their way, Oliver opened his mouth, blending his deep voice alongside the chords. Hearing the song at its conception in this intimate acoustic setting felt special. Like she was in on some kind of secret. Bailey continued to play and she tried to focus on the words, but her eyes kept drifting to Oliver’s eyes. Something inside her stirred as she listened to his voice, as though waking after a long sleep.

  When he looked up at her as he sang the last notes, their eyes locked, holding her in place.

  “Good afternoon, folks,” Dr. Milo said as he entered the room.

  Lexie jumped and blushed, like a kid caught stealing a cookie before she straightened and took her place next to the doctor. Cathy moved to stand by her son’s bed. “We have received Bailey’s latest test results and he has tested negative for an infection.”

  “Why did it take so long to figure that out? And, what does it mean exactly?” Cathy’s voice was laced with steel. “Something’s obviously wrong.”

  Lexie sighed. It was as she had feared. There had been a mistake.

  “It seems Bailey doesn’t have an infection after all which means, we will immediately discontinue the antibiotics you’re receiving and get you moved back to a regular room. It’s the antibiotics causing his discomfort. The lab ran his bloodwork three times to be sure.” Dr. Milo removed his glasses and clasped his hands together in front of him. “I’m very sorry about all of this.”

  “You people put my son on drugs that nearly killed him. There’s no telling what might have happened and you’re sorry?” Cathy’s voice rose an octave on the word sorry and Oliver placed a hand on her arm. “You’re supposed to have one of the best cancer departments in the nation.”

  “I assure you this sort of thing doesn’t happen,” Dr. Milo said it in his most sincere voice, but Lexie didn’t miss the vein pounding in his temple. He was trying to procure a grant and if someone’s screw up messed up his chances, heads were going to roll.

  “I don’t care how you usually run things around here. What I care about is how you run things regarding my son. This is unacceptable.”

  “I agree completely and there will be an investigation into Bailey’s case so we can pinpoint exactly how this happened.”

  “At the very least—”

  “Mom, calm down,” Bailey finally spoke and unlike his mother, he didn’t seem angry. In fact, he looked relieved. “Does this mean I can get up and visit some of the common areas? I’m having a bit of cabin fever.”

  “Yes, you most certainly can. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. I’ll go check on a room for you right now. Lexie, a word,” he turned to go and Lexie hurried after him. “I want to know exactly what happened and I want to know now.”

  “Sir, I believe I know. I’ve been backtracking Bailey’s case and it seems as though his bloodwork was accidentally switched with another patient’s.”

  Lexie swallowed when Dr. Milo’s eyes narrowed, but when he didn’t interrupt, she continued. “We had another patient end up in the ICU after developing an infection last night. The same kind of infection Bailey supposedly had. The nurse who took the blood from Bailey also took blood from the infected patient.”

  “I want this reported to the charge nurse immediately.”

  “Yes, sir,” Lexie met Dr. Milo’s furious eyes.

  “I would also like you to continue your service with Mr. Honeycutt. It’s time for some serious damage control.”

  Chapter 13

  As Lexie stood beside Bailey’s bed in his old room, free of the isolation getup, she studied his complexion. Even now, after only a short amount of time off the medication, his color had returned. Her eyes cut to Oliver, perched on the arm of the sofa. His features—much like his brother’s—were back to normal. Gone were the dark circles and lines of worry. At the sight of his relief, her shoulder’s relaxed.

  “Do you feel better now that you’ve been able to get out and walk around a little?”

  “Definitely.” Bailey’s smile was proof his words were true. “And now, you don’t have to wear that ugly yellow sack every time you come in my room.”

  Lexie narrowed her eyes at him and put a hand on her hip. “Are you saying I don’t look good in yellow?”

  “No, not at all, Sexy Lexie,” Oliver grinned. “It just didn’t allow us the chance to check out the full package.”

  “You should listen to my bro. He’s an expert in the female form and a great admirer.”

  Oliver slid down onto the sofa and stretched his arms over his head like a satisfied cat. “He speaks the truth.”

  She smirked as she hung up a new bag, thankful their sense of humor was still intact. “So, what time is Leo getting in tomorrow?”

  “Sometime in the afternoon.” Oliver lowered his arms and pushed himself to the edge of his seat. “Hey, that reminds me, you never told me what you thought ab
out the song.”

  “It was good.”

  “That’s it? It was good,” Oliver rubbed a hand over his face. “I was hoping for a little more feedback than that.”

  “I’m not a musician or a music critic.” She leaned against the wall and folded her arms over her chest. “I wouldn’t exactly be offering much by way of an expert opinion.”

  “I don’t want an expert opinion. I want your opinion.” Oliver cocked his head to the side and waited. “Come on, tell me.”

  “Okay,” Lexie focused on the ceiling while she let the song drift back across her thoughts, the tune still fresh in her mind. “I liked the bridge and the chorus is catchy.”

  Oliver nodded.

  “The drums could really make the song.” A quiet hum escaped her lips as she continued to imagine the possibilities. “I would change the first line from ‘pulsing through my veins’ to ‘pumping through my veins’, but other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

  He grinned at her, the corners of his eyes crinkled with a knowing look.

  “What?” Lexie stood, suddenly feeling foolish for getting so caught up. And, why was he looking at her like that? “You don’t have to change the line. It was just a suggestion.”

  “No, I agree with you. Your words flow better.” He picked up his pen and jotted down what she assumed were her words, but when he finished, he went right back to grinning at her.

  She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “What then? Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “I knew you would have an ear for what works. You’re smart, you know what you like, and you’re a fan of ours. We listen to our fans.”

  She blew out a breath as she let the warmth of his compliment wash over her. “Well, this fan is happy to hear it. Okay, I need to run down the hall. It’s platelet time.”

  “Again,” Bailey groaned, but he was smiling.

  “Yes, again, but just think, your time here won’t last too much longer. You’re getting stronger. Soon, you’ll be able to escape.” She dreaded that day, and simultaneously, hoped for it for his sake.

  “Oh, Oliver, I think Lexie just gave me a new idea for a song.”

  She laughed, “Okay, well you get started on that and I’ll be right back.”

  She had no sooner taken two steps out of Bailey’s room, when Ashley attacked her. “You bitch. You were dying to get me in trouble, weren’t you?”

  Lexie recovered quickly from the ambush. She’d known it was coming. No way was Ashley going to keep her head down and accept what she’d done and learn from her mistake. It wasn’t her style.

  “Ashley, you’re the one who could’ve killed not one, but two patients. Don’t blame me for your mistake.” Lexie kept her head held high. She would not feel bad about her part in discovering Ashley’s negligence. “Dr. Milo wanted the incident reported and investigated. I didn’t go out of my way to do anything to you.”

  “You always act like you’re so high and mighty. The great Alexis, she never makes mistakes,” Ashley poked an acrylic nail into Lexie’s chest.

  “Of course I do. We all do, and you need to take responsibility for yours.” Lexie turned to go.

  “Don’t tell me what to do.” Considering Ashley’s childish tone, Lexie half expected her to stomp her foot before stalking away.

  Ashley would have to deal with her red rule violation all on her own. If it had been anyone else, Lexie would’ve felt sorry for them. No one wanted to be under investigation with the possibility of getting fired looming over them, but Ashley had no right to try to blame her. Lab work didn’t lie, and it was Ashley’s employee ID number next to the entry in the chart. Not even her sister could get her out of this mess.

  Lexie shook her head as she swiped her badge through the reader. The cabinet opened with a slight hiss. She reached in and grabbed what she needed for Bailey and as she did, the words she’d spoken came back to her. He would be leaving soon. And so would his brother.

  She had to snap out of it. He was Bailey Honeycutt and he was her patient, and Oliver . . . he was . . . her friend?

  A shiver ran through her that had nothing to do with the cold air seeping out of the cabinet.

  As she returned to Bailey’s room, she reminded herself for the hundredth time they were passing through. While she didn’t deny they were all friendly, as soon as Bailey was gone from this place, Oliver would be, too. He would be back in his world where only the elite were allowed.

  “There’s my muse,” Bailey said when she stepped back into his room. Laura was already there waiting for her.

  “Muse, huh?” Lexie stopped to wash her hands.

  “What can I say? You’ve inspired me. I think I’ll call this next one, Prison Break.”

  “Sounds interesting,” she laughed as she dried her hands. “Okay, you have to part with the guitar for now.”

  “Look Bailey,” Oliver nodded to her, “you have your own personal warden.”

  “I thought I was the muse?”

  “Depends on the mood,” Bailey handed Laura his guitar and the toothy grin he shot her had her face turning red.

  Lexie cast her gaze down to keep Laura from seeing her grin.

  “Ready to torture me some more?”

  “I live for it,” Lexie started the platelet transfer. “So, tell me about your tattoos.” Though curious, she also wanted to distract him.

  “I’ve seen you checking them out,” he flashed his cocky grin.

  “There’s a lot to see.” She gestured to his covered arm. “Which was first?”

  “The Les Paul guitar on my shoulder. Everything else was added around it. The Les Paul was my first love.”

  “What about this one,” she pointed to a small dark green one close to his wrist.

  “Ah, yes, my lucky charm. I got it in Ireland. I thought it was funny to get a four-leaf clover in Ireland, but on the same day I got it the guys and I found out our second album had gone platinum.”

  “So, it is lucky.”

  “It seems so.”

  “What about this one?” Lexie indicated the one that looked like a flag near his bicep.

  “That’s the Kenyan flag.” At her raised eyebrow, he explained, “The guys and I started a charity to help find solutions to get clean water to rural Kenya. It’s a big problem there. All of us have this particular tattoo.”

  Oliver moved closer to her and raised the sleeve of his shirt to reveal his bicep and his own unique design of ink.

  “I didn’t know you guys had a charity.”

  “It’s just beginning to take off. It’s taken a lot of years of work to make it happen. My mom is in charge of it, naturally.”

  She matched his smile with one of her own.

  “After visiting, we all felt like we needed to do something. It was a life changing experience.” He let out a chuckle when she shook her head at him. “What?”

  “You are full of surprises, Oliver Honeycutt.” She prayed the awe she felt didn’t sound in her voice. She had no idea he had a philanthropic streak in him. And, dammit if it didn’t make him more appealing.

  As he slid his shirt back into place, a trail of tatted words repeated over and over down his arm caught her attention. “Wait, what does that say?”

  As he raised his arm to look where she was pointing, she brushed his arm. His eyes rose to hers and she wondered if he felt the same shock she did when they touched. Even through her latex gloves there was a spark. She wanted to step back, but his eyes seemed to hold her in place.

  When Laura cleared her throat, Lexie tore her gaze away and fiddled with one of the tubes sticking out of Bailey’s arm. She didn’t need a mirror to see how red her face was, there was enough heat radiating off of her skin to melt plastic.

  Oliver, unfazed as usual
, either didn’t notice or didn’t care and answered her question. “The words serve as the cord to the mic on my shoulder. It says ‘music is life’. And, since I’ve shared with you,” he dipped his face close to her ear, “are you going to tell me what your tattoo is now? I think it’s only fair.”

  “I don’t think so.” She took a step away from him.

  “Please.”

  “Why do I get the feeling you’re used to getting what you want?”

  “Because I am,” he flashed a toothy grin, but even his megawatt smile wouldn’t make her budge.

  “You are a piece of work,” she laughed. “Both of you.”

  “Admit it, Sexy Lexie, I’m the most entertaining patient you have.” Lexie’s face heated again at the use of the nickname in front of Laura.

  “You’re the only patient I have.”

  “I know. I like it. Makes me feel special.”

  She rolled her eyes at him playfully and stripped off her gloves. “All done.”

  “And, we were having so much fun.”

  “Oh, don’t worry. I’m sure there will be plenty more where that came from.” Lexie thanked Laura for her help and stepped out into the hallway, but she wasn’t alone. Oliver was close behind.

  “So, when are you getting out of here?”

  “In just a few minutes. It’s been a day.”

  He touched her arm to stop her. “I’m sorry about this morning. I didn’t know who else to call.”

  “It’s okay, really.” In that moment as their eyes held and his fingers rested on her arm she was pretty sure she would’ve leapt through fire if he’d asked her to and the feeling terrified her. When had she become the girl who jumped when a man told her how high?